Nature and Meaning of Art, Essay Example

It is true that social, political, or economic conditions can alter the nature and meaning of art. After all, art is a natural reaction to life, and life is shaped by how people in society are grouped, governed, and resourced. Two famous paintings, one from the Baroque period, the other from the Classical period, illustrate this observation.

The first, The Syndics of the Draper’s Guild (1662), oil on canvas, 191.5 x 279 cm, housed in the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, was painted by Rembrandt van Rijn as a commissioned piece near the end of his life. It can be found at http://www.theartgallery.com.au/arteducation/greatartists/rembrandt/drapers_guild/index.html

Here, Rembrandt shows the order that results from a well disciplined, well arranged business enterprise. In this case, the men portrayed are power brokers within a syndicate that buys and sells fabrics. One holds a purse, showing that they represent wealth. They show diversity, for there are Jewish as well as Christians at the table. They show hierarchy, because one of them is obviously a subservient associate of the others. One man rises, as if to take a question from the floor, as at a meeting of stockholders. These Dutchmen exude success, and that was the reason for their commission of Rembrandt in the first place.

The second, Madame Récamier (1800), oil on canvas, 174 x 224 cm, housed at the Lourvre in Paris, France, was painted by Jacques-Louis David as a commissioned piece at the height of his career. It can be found at http://www.artarchive/D/david/recamier.jpg.html

Juliette Récamier, the subject of David’s painting, was a leader in French literature circles of the early 19^th century. She wielded political influence because of her views and her personal associations. In approaching his subject, David sought to express how the combination of her beauty and her personality blended to offer confidence and poise. Her political views caused Napoleon to banish her from Paris. An interesting side bar is that the painter, Franois Pascal Simon Baron Gérard also completed a portrait of her in 1802. This painting can be seen at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juliette_R%C3%A9camier

Both of the paintings of Récamier share classical poses and regal charm. Her elegance takes on almost mythical proportion.

References

David, J. (1800). Madame Récamier. The Lourvre. Retrieved 14 May 2010 from http://www.artarchive/D/david/recamier.jpg.html

Rembrandt, V. (1662). The syndics of the draper’s guild. Rijksmuseum. Retrieved 14 May from http://www.theartgallery.com.au/arteducation/greatartists/rembrandt/drapers_guild/index.html